Muhyiddin: Subang Riot Leader Was Paid RM150,000 For Temple Intrusion
The money came from lawyers of One City Development Sdn Bhd.
By Jia Vern Tham — 28 Nov 2018, 03:21 PM
Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin revealed today, 28 November, that lawyers of One City Development Berhad paid RM150,000 to the Subang riot leader to intrude the Sri Maha Mariamman Devasthanam temple
Malay Mail reported that the money was then used to hire around 50 youths to take over the temple on Monday, 26 November.
"Lawyers of the developer had hired a group of Malay men to barge into the temple and take control of it before developers and police can arrive (to facilitate the land transfer)," Muhyiddin was quoted as saying by Malaysiakini.
According to the Home Minister, two lawyers have been arrested and remanded for the riot.
The 50 youths were paid between RM150 and RM300
"Those linked to the developer have not followed legal processes to take over the temple land as planned, in accordance with the law," Muhyiddin said.
Calling the riot "hasty and careless", the Home Minister added that such actions were regrettable and illegal.
"Their decision to trespass is irresponsible, illegal, and angered the Hindu devotees there, which escalated into commotion, fights, and damage of properties," he added.
Talks over relocation of the temple has been going on since 2007 as the temple's land was bought over by One City
Malaysiakini reported that One City, together with two rival camps agreed to relocate the temple to a land three kilometres away.
RM1.5 million had also been donated to the temple a part of the resettlement.
Nonetheless, devotees have been resisting relocation efforts as the temple has been a prayer site since 1891.